I’M IN LOVE & DON’T WANNA TESTIFY: Me & my boyfriend got into it and we did some bad things to each other. When it first happened, I wanted to prosecute him. It has been about a year since I first pressed charges, and I am now pregnant. I have tried numerous times to drop the charges but I was told that if I did, I could be charged with obstruction or filing a false report. Now, I’m being called to testify against my boyfriend in court and I do not want to. What will happen if I refuse to answer any questions? GOINS LAW: Unless you have been subpoenaed, you do not have to appear. If you have been subpoenaed and you refuse to answer questions then you can be held in contempt of court and jailed in an attempt to coerce your cooperation. In questions that specifically relate to some type of criminal offense committed by you, you can assert your Fifth Amendment right not to testify. I would advise that you not walk into this situation without a lawyer.
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 16:26:08 +0000